Alexander Zverev handed monster $98,000 fine after ‘dangerous’ tantrum

Olympic champion Alexander Zverev has been handed a monster fine following his “reckless” outburst at the Mexican Open.

German tennis player Alexander Zverev has been handed a monster AU$56,000 fine following his shocking outburst at the Mexican Open on Wednesday AEDT, where he repeatedly struck the umpire’s chair with his racquet.

The 24-year-old was additionally forced to forfeit more than $42,000 in prizemoney and all rankings points from the ATP tournament in Acapulco.

The fines represent the maximum amounts that the ATP can impose on a player for “verbal abuse” and “unsportsmanlike conduct”, and the Olympic champion could face further sanctions pending an ongoing investigation.

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The outburst occurred during the final set of Zverev and Marcelo Melo’s loss to Lloyd Glasspool and Harri Heliovaara earlier this week.

Zverev was furious with a contentious line call, completely losing his temper and launching an expletive-laden tirade at the umpire.

He screamed at the umpire: “Look where the ball bounced … 8-6 in the tiebreak … for f***s sake … it’s f***ing your line … f***ing idiot.”

The crowd audibly gasped at that final insult directed at the umpire, who issued Zverev with a code violation.

Glasspool and Heliovaara won the super tie-break to seal the match 6-2 4-6 10-6. In a display of blatant intimidation, Zverev firmly whacked the umpire’s chair several times, only just missing his feet and legs as the umpire visibly flinched to escape harm.

The German whacked the side of the chair again as the umpire was climbing down from it.

German Alexander Zverev hits the umpire's chair with his racquet. Photo by Marcos DOMINGUEZ / Abierto Mexicano de Tenis / AFP

A woman holds the broken racquet of German Alexander Zverev. Photo by Marcos DOMINGUEZ / Abierto Mexicano de Tenis / AFP

The ATP responded quickly, announcing that Zverev had been kicked out of the tournament effective immediately.

“Following ATP’s withdrawal of Alexander Zverev from this week’s tournament in Acapulco due to unsportsmanlike conduct, the player has received the following on-site penalties; verbal abuse — 20,000 US dollars, unsportsmanlike conduct — 20,000 US dollars,” an ATP statement read.

“This represents the maximum fine per each violation. Zverev also forfeits full prize money of 31,570 US dollars (singles and doubles), as well as all ATP rankings points from the event.

“A further review of the incident will now follow per ATP rules.”

Zverev, ranked No. 3 in the world, posted an apology on his Instagram account a few hours after his expulsion.

“It is difficult to put into words how much I regret my behaviour during and after the doubles match yesterday,” he wrote.

“I have privately apologised to the chair umpire because my outburst towards him was wrong and unacceptable.”

Zverev said he would be reflecting on his behaviour.

“As you know I leave everything out on the court,” he wrote.

“Yesterday I left too much. I am going to take the coming days to reflect on my actions and how I can ensure that it will not happen again.”

Australian Open champion Rafael Nadal said Zverev’s behaviour served as a bad example to the youngsters who saw tennis stars as role models.

“I enjoy good relations with Alexander, but at the end of the day the punishment is deserved,” he told reporters at a press conference.

“One cannot behave in this manner and I believe he is conscious of that.

“Unfortunately, the image that Alexander gave yesterday, exacerbated by being posted on social media accounts which lights the touchpaper, will have been seen by millions of children.

“They base their attitude on ours and we must set an example and show a minimum of respect.”

Former world No. 1 Andy Murray was asked about Zverev’s ejection from Acapulco and did not hold back in assessing the situation.

“It was dangerous, reckless,” he said.

“I’ve not always acted in the way I would want on the tennis court. I’m certainly not claiming to be an angel.

“However, when you’re ripping your tennis racquet right next to the umpire multiple times, yeah, you can’t be doing that.”

Zverev is no stranger to controversy — he is still being investigated by the ATP over allegations he was violent towards a former girlfriend.

He denies the accusation.

In June 2020, he was criticised for partying in a bar, when he had promised to self-isolate for two weeks, after competing in a tournament organised by Novak Djokovic in front of spectators, against medical advice on the Covid-19 pandemic.

Several players including Djokovic contracted Covid-19.

— with AFP